CHAPTER 16 History and Culture of East Asia

A. Historic Traditions in China 1. China’s civilizations are the earliest in the world to survive to modern times a. They are the oldest continuous civilizations in the world b. Korea & Japan – old civilizations also, but China’s are the oldest

2. Middle Kingdom – China’ leaders name for their country – they believed it was “center of universe” a. Great wall began during this time 1. Series of smaller walls between warring kingdoms 2. Symbol of China’s desire to be separate from rest of world

3. Great Inventions – paper, gun powder (fireworks), silk weaving, magnetic compass, printing press, clockworks a. Experts at canal digging, dam and bridge building, irrigation systems, etc.

4. Dynasties – China was ruled by emperors (male rules of empires) a. Dynasties – series of emperors from same family 1. Chinese history in terms of dynasties 2. Shang Dynasty – well-developed writing, first Chinese calendar, bronze casting 1. Zhou Dynasty – writing laws, iron tools and plows 2. Qin Dynasty – much of Great Wall built 3. Han Dynasty – government based on Confucius a. Confucius – if people act correctly – will have peace & harmony

6. Tang Dynasty – Sculpture & poetry 7. Song Dynasty – block printing (printing press) & paper money developed, gun powder 8. Ming Dynasty – Porcelain, the novel, drama 9. Qing Dynasty – Increased trade with Europe, last dynasty

years ago – trade important for ancient Chinese civilizations, dynasties a. Silk Road linked China with Europe – routes went throughout Asia b. Traded silks, spices, glass, wool, gold and silver to East c. Traded ideas and cultures – cultural diffusion d. Source of wealth for China and other parts of Asia, but brought interest and invasion as well

5. Histories of Korea & China – closely tied together a. Chinese histories grew up around central river systems, Huang and Chang rivers allowed civilizations to grow, spread b B.C. – Chinese moved to Korean peninsula, brought their knowledge & customs c. Dynasties ruled Korea, only 3 1. Shilla – 1 st dynasty, unified Korea 6. Japan – clans fought for power a. Laws made by shoguns

7. Westerners come to Asia a. Asia didn’t want to trade with many nations, Silk road had ended around US – used force to make Japan trade with US 2. European countries – conquered parts of China, used it for resources a. US – 1899 policy that China should be free for all – was for a while b – revolution ended emperor and created republic 3. Civil War in China – communists won, creating communist rule in China which still exists

b. Japan – wanted power & attacked other countries (Asian and beyond) in beginning of WWII for resources 1. Defeated by US in dropped nuclear bombs c. Korea – divided into two parts after WWII, North Korea invaded S. Korea to make it communist 1. US sent 480,000 troops to help keep it safe 2. Lasted 3 years, killed over 2 million Koreans

B. East Asia’s People 1. China – Han ethnic group – most people in China can trace their ancestry to Han a. Common language, different dialect b. Other Chinese come from 55 different minority groups 1. Live in the western & southern parts of China 2. One of most ethnically diverse nations in world

2.Japan and Korea – few minorities a.Korea – homogenous population with few minorities b.Japan – island nation that was isolated for years 1.Leaders want to keep country unified 2.One of most homogenous populations in world 3.Strict rules on immigration make it hard for people to be citizens

3. Korea – changing as women have more rights (to work and vote) a. Family still very important, extended families live together in rural areas b. Modern ways in cities 4. Japan – most modern of East Asian countries a. More modern technology b. 80% live in urban areas c. Follow traditional roles in the home